Tag Archives | big picture

It’s hard to see the forest for the trees. When you were a beginner, overwhelmed by this amazing dance, all you knew were your local classes and dances. Slowly, you became more exposed to the big, wide world of West Coast Swing. Between events and competitions and routines and levels, it’s quite daunting to […]

How do you manage your social wellness with your dance wellness? It’s easy these days to get wrapped up too much in your own training and/or competitive capital – have you paused to take inventory lately of your social/emotional capital? What about the reverse – have you been focusing so much on the party aspect […]

I sat down with Kay Newhouse, affectionately referred to as “Community Mama” of the NorthEastern US, and co-director of Swing Fling, DCSX and MADJam, some of the biggest and most-successful events on the WSDC circuit. We were particularly curious about the awesome initiatives she is taking with the Newcomer demographic, and her ideas on catering […]

And now for a little practical philosophy. Ask yourself: What do you really want in West Coast Swing? Take a moment before answering: your readily available answer might be keeping you from being honest with yourself, which might be sabotaging your ability to have your needs met. Many dancers approach us seeking advice, from all […]

Before you get all scared, let me clarify: I’m referring to a diet of dance, not a diet of nutrition. This sadly misrepresented word is technically supposed to refer to a regular balance of fuel, not a short-term restriction of it. So, using the original intention of the word, ask yourself how your “dance diet” […]

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“The SDLM course for me was like a eureka moment, finally understanding what I had been missing. As a WCS dancer, so many long-time outstanding questions were immediately satisfied. Having a path connecting the common ideas together, often in logical causal ways, creating real understanding, gives a real level of confidence to build my dance on. I couldn’t recommend this course more highly, to both existing teachers and students alike: in the hope that future dancers find their feet more strongly, more rapidly, avoiding much of the uncertainty as a beginning dancer. The ideas and concepts in the material are so effective and make so much sense, one might wonder why this isn’t the standard for all. For me, after a long time being in a plateau, it gave a new sense of satisfaction, and paved the way to a better more enriching dance experience.”

Ian M

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The holidays can be rough for a lot of people. I remember being a student and not only having to deal with stressful exams, but also having to go for almost a month without a desperately needed paycheque from my lifeguarding and coaching jobs. I didn't enjoy the holidays much - I couldn't wait for school to go back in January so life could resume.

It's not hard to get overwhelmed when circumstances seem to mount against you. I know the feeling - when the benign "Why can't I catch a break" takes a downhill turn into "What the @#$% does the universe have against me!?!?!" That feeling of constantly trying to swim upstream is exhausting and soul depleting.

This is when you need someone to talk at you. You don't even have to talk, you just need to have someone on the shore reach out and throw you a lifeline. To fill your head with something - anything - hopeful and positive.

Here's some Westie-based lifeline advice to get you through. Pass it on: sharing is caring. ❤️

Hey. You look a little stressed...a little adrift. Maybe it’s time we sat down and had a chat. Pull up a comfy chair, order your favourite hot beverage, and get cozy. Let's get you feeling anchored. This time of year can be emotionally draining, even pulverizing for some. While Myles & I don’